Friday, December 30, 2011

More Christmas and Family Pics!

Henry with Pancho (aka Papa)

Henry and me with my mom and dad

Silly Uncle Dave (wearing Aunt Stephanie's hair extensions)

Henry, Meet Your Family. Family, Meet Henry.

We were so lucky that both of our families came to Chicago to spend Christmas with us and share in Henry's first Christmas. In addition to the Christmas crowd, John's dad came to visit Henry shortly after his birth, and my dad and brother stopped by yesterday to meet Henry. He has no idea how much he is loved! Below are pics of all the new introductions.

4 generations!

Uncle Travis

My dad (grandparent name TBD)

John's dad (aka Grandad)

Auntie Lisa

Belated Christmas Wishes

We had a busy Christmas this year, with lots of family in town to celebrate with us (see post above), so we are just getting around to posting pics of the holiday festivities. Christmas felt a little weird for us this year - we had Henry to concentrate on rather than the bustle and bustle of getting ready for the holiday. In fact, we greatly pared down our gift giving and shopping this year, and it was actually pretty nice -- even John, the biggest fan of Christmas presents was fine with the light version of Christmas this year. Of course the highlight of our holiday was having Henry here. He was completely oblivious to the festivities, but he should be a lot more fun next year when he has more of an idea of what's going on. We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Henry and his stocking (handmade by his Mimi - John's mom)

Henry is all decked out for the occasion, complete with reindeer footies.

My fam on Christmas morning.

Best. Christmas. Ever.

Henry's new Yoda shoes - so cute!

Monday, December 19, 2011

5th Annual Cookie Exchange

Let's rewind a couple of weeks to pre-Henry days. On December 3rd, we had our 5th annual cookie exchange. Nicole hosted again, but this time at her beautiful new home, and of course everything was Martha Stewart-worthy, as usual. We had some extra delicious cookies this year, my favorite being Nicole's chocolate peppermint thumbprint cookies. Think chocolate peppermint cookies with a dark chocolate ganache filling in the thumbprint. A close runner-up was Susan's snickers fudge - sinful! I will have to get the recipes for both, even though I don't really need any sweets -- trying to lose the baby weight. Below are some pics from the night - some of the last photographic documentation of me pre-Henry.


All the amazing cookies, post-exchange. The snickers fudge is on the right - gooey deliciousness!


This year's group - we had a few newcomers. Very fun!

7 Awesome Years!

Yesterday was our seventh wedding anniversary. We both nearly forgot about it - I guess we have had other things distracting us (namely, Henry). According to traditional sources, we are supposed to give each other copper gifts for year seven. However, seeing as how we barely even remembered our anniversary, we definitely did not exchange gifts. We have our own living, screaming, and wiggling gift this year.

Happy lucky number seven, John -- we've definitely been lucky this year!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

1 Week Old!

Henry turned one week old yesterday! Normally people don't celebrate weekly birthdays, but we made it through a week, which in our opinion is a great accomplishment! To commemorate the occasion, we took a trek to Starbucks. Even though it is just a couple of blocks away, it took an hour to prepare for the outing, including two diaper and clothing changes and a last-minute feeding. Henry did well while we were out, though, so maybe we will add a small outing every couple of days or so.

This first week has been challenging, humbling, and totally rewarding. I think we sort of have the night situation figured out - he's up every 3 hours or so for feedings, but no more screaming now that we found out that he really doesn't like sleeping laying down. And he's an absolute angel during the day, aside from the numerous outfit changes from the diaper explosions.

John took two weeks off from work to hang out with Henry and me during the first two weeks, and I'm really dreading him going back to work next week. My mom is still in town, thankfully -- I don't know how I would survive without her!

Well, happy one-week birthday, Henry! Here's to many more! We are so glad you are here.

One of the rare occasions when he actually sleeps laying down.

John and Henry lounging on the sofa.

Simon is not too sure about Henry.

Friday, December 9, 2011

More Henry Pics!



Going to the pediatrician!

This is about as close as Sofia gets to him.

Sweet sleeping baby (finally!)

He's Here!

Henry Adams Beck finally arrived on December 5, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs, 13 ounces and was 21 inches long. We are so glad that he's finally here and are loving every minute of our time with him (even the several hours in the night when he screams for no reason whatsoever). He had a bit of a rough time getting here, hence the bruises on his face, but is doing remarkably well. Below are some pics of his first few days.

First family picture. This is what 16 and a half hours of labor looks like.

Dad and Henry

Getting cleaned up

Sweet burrito baby

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

One Week to Go!

Well, theoretically. I am due exactly one week from today - on December 7th. I have decided that I am no longer cut out for pregnancy and that this baby needs to come out asap. In fact, I even called the doctor today to make sure that he wasn't just going to fall out, because that's what it feels like. The nurse reassured me that he would definitely not fall out, or at least not without a bit of a warning, but she did not offer to induce me so that I could finally be done.

I'm still at work and was planning on staying until I give birth (hopefully not at the office - my assistant would be really grossed out by that). However, I decided that next Friday, December 9th will be my last day. They will induce me by the 14th if I don't have him before, so there's really no need to keep going to work after next Friday. It will be nice to not have to put on normal clothes and trek downtown, but it would be nicer if this baby would just hurry up and be born!

Below is a pic from this week - week 39. It's not the best pic, but then again, I'm not feeling my best. Everyone, please cross your fingers that this little guy comes soon!


Friday, November 25, 2011

Zoo Lights!

We braved the crowds and headed to Zoo Lights tonight - the annual holiday light festival at the Lincoln Park Zoo. We have been meaning to go for years but have just never made it. However, we learned an important lesson tonight: Zoo Lights on opening night is a bad idea. There were thousands of people everywhere! We could tell the animals were not too excited about having all the hordes of people around - most were hiding, trying to get some sleep. When we go next year with our little guy in tow, we will definitely not be going opening weekend!


I'm glad none of the carnivorous beasts mistook me for a walrus or a beached whale. The resemblance is uncanny.

Mom, Nannie, and me

The whole zoo was covered in Christmas lights!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

38 Weeks


I'm in the home stretch, and we are so anxious for this little guy to get here! I'm due in less than 2 weeks, but who knows when he will arrive! In the meantime, I'm squeezing myself into my maternity pants (it's pretty sad when stretch pants are too small), and wearing flip flops and UGGs to Court since my dress shoes no longer fit. Surely I won't get any bigger in the next couple of weeks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We just finished up a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with my family. They were so nice to make the drive up here since I can't travel anywhere. We spent the day cooking (more like my mom spent the day cooking - I wasn't as helpful as I had hoped/intended). We tried a couple of new recipes this year - a new turkey recipe and some amazing mashed potatoes by the Pioneer Woman - and both were a hit! We have lots of fun plans for the rest of the weekend while everyone is still in town - Zoo Lights at LP Zoo, Christmas shopping, and some dinners out (hopefully I will have room).

We have lots to be thankful for this year, and are really looking forward to the next couple of weeks, when our lives will be forever changed -- for the better! Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!



Simon is just happy to have some extra laps.

Delish!

The turkey. It was stuffed under the skin with lemons, oranges, and sage. Definitely a keeper!

The fam before dinner.

Big momma eats first

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Big Momma

We have taken weekly "belly pics" since around week 13 to chronicle my inflation over the past several months. This week's picture, however, is just shocking to me. I knew I was big, but I didn't know I was THAT big. Below is me this week at 36 weeks.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Getting Ready...

We only have about four weeks to go! I never thought I would say this, but this pregnancy really has flown! We have his room all ready, put together the stroller and pack and play, and are spending every weekend this month in baby-related classes. All we have left is installing the car seats!

Below are some pics of his room. We were trying to go with a comfortable and simple look - not too traditional, not too modern. We are happy with how it turned out!




Sunday, October 2, 2011

Posting Marathon

I haven't posted in forever, so below are several weeks of posts and pictures! We didn't have internet for almost 2 weeks, and then I was having technical difficulties with Blogger. But now all is resolved and we can get back on track.

All is going well with us. John has started his catalog, and I think this will be my last weekend with him until November 1st, so we've been relaxing and hanging out all weekend. I continue to get bigger and bigger, seemingly by the minute. I can't believe that there are only 9 weeks until my due date! Below is last week's belly pic - me at 30 weeks. I think I've gotten bigger since it was taken!

Now that all our technical issues have been resolved, we will be posting more, especially as it leads up to our exciting arrival!

More Pics from the Chicago Shower

My work friend, Alex, and me. Her little boy is due a little more than a month before me.

Me with the grandmothers (and the awesome butt painting in the background)

Steph, me, John, and Lisa

Chicago Baby Shower

Last weekend my sisters-in-law, Stephanie and Lisa, threw me a perfect baby shower at Hot Chocolate, an amazing restaurant in Bucktown. The menu was dessert-centered, which was perfect since the chef, James Beard award winner Mindy Segal, is best known for her amazing sweets. I was so flattered at all the friends who were able to attend - I honestly could not have made it down the long and rocky road to this baby without their support!

Below are pictures from the shower. And PS - I do not look that whale-like in real life, I promise. I just can't seem to take flattering preggo-photo.

Mingling before the shower

Some of the delicious desserts!

Lisa got the baby a Michael Jackson onesie and a "Lullaby Renditions of Michael Jackson" CD.
Of course he's going to be a big fan like his momma!


The menu

Me, with Sarah and Beth